2023 World Championship

[fkhan]

I have seen Neil Robertson's last name being written as Robinson quite a few times. I wonder if it's some sort of an interchangeable.

[DeanH]

I have seen Neil Robertson's last name being written as Robinson quite a few times. I wonder if it's some sort of an interchangable.

no, the names are NOT interchangeable

[TheBaize]

Well, he may not have another season where he wins seven events, so maybe he's peaked in that sense. But it seems like players peak at 45 these days, so it's a bit early to write him off.

I hope he gets back to decent form as he's one of my favourite players to watch, but he seems to be struggling at the moment. Saying that, players do have ups and downs so who knows.

[PatBlock]

no, the names are NOT interchangeable

Tell that to Terry Griffiths. Roberts, Robson, Robinson........ anything but Robertson.

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[PatBlock]

cueman Don't panic, your boy isn't going anywhere, not just yet anyway, he's way too talented. He'll regroup and bounce back, plenty more trophies in him yet.

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[cueman]

cueman Don't panic, your boy isn't going anywhere, not just yet anyway, he's way too talented. He'll regroup and bounce back, plenty more trophies in him yet.

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I like to think I'm a good judge of players and I think I was one of the first on here to say Judd will become the best in the world because I could see the direction his game and his talent was in. He subsequently did for a couple of seasons and I thought that he would stay at the top and break many records for a decade.

However I've also seen huge fragility in his game, we've seen it a lot. We saw it earlier in his career, bad losses to Rory McLeod and mark Joyce in the world and UK respectively. However he was a much more reliant on his potting and scoring back then, lacked practice time and lacked the all round game needed to win regularly.

However the fragility is back only it's not due to having no safety or tactical game, he literally is getting chances and failing to take them. Now the issue isn't work rate or lack of match play, it's purely down to technique as I mentioned in previous post.

This isn't something that can be worked on without completely changing his cue action, basically his failure to get a solid foundation earlier in his career is going to shorten his career at the top. The problem is, you cannot change how someone has learned how to pot and and sight the ball for 25 years, it's just not possible. There has never been a cueist like him in the game, it's only a natural ability which he managed to reach the level he did which has got him to this point. Who does he turn to if he can't fix it or he can't sustain it as his body ages and reaction times decrease affecting timing?

As players get older that deteriorates and that's why players turn to things like sight right or work on their alignment in order to stay competitive. That really isn't an option for Trump, he's now the wrong side of 30 and like Hendry who was finished at 33 in terms of being a dominant force, so too is Judd.

[PatBlock]

I like to think I'm a good judge of players.....

Well, time will tell, hope you're wrong though.

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[cueman]

Well, time will tell, hope you're wrong though.

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I'd love to be proven wrong, and you are right only time will tell.

As for the others, it's looking likely that Murphy is now in a very strong position, his half of the draw certainly looking a lot easier, his run to another final looks certain on current form.

The bottom half looks very tough. So many players capable of coming through, Selby, Wilson, Robertson, Bingham and Allen, ouch. They are all going to be kicking lumps out of each other and will be running on empty by the time the player who comes through to reach the final.

[Starsky]

Trump … he is basically going through a bad spell and lacking confidence . You cannot dominate as he did for so long a spell on natural ability alone .
If his technique was that bad he would never been able to reach the level he has.
Once you get to the level these guys are playing at confidence in your own ability and game and mental strength that goes with that is more important than any technical change .
He should be looking at getting a mental coach first if he is looking to change something .
Im not saying he has the perfect technique , nobody has. This game can be played in so many different ways and way too much emphasis is put on technique .

[itsnoteasy]

Not seen Murphy yet but Robertson and Kyren Wilson have been the pick of the first round for me.

[trains]

Another dazzling display from Ryan Day, he even nearly lost the 14th frame that he eventually won.

[Starsky]

Not seen Murphy yet but Robertson and Kyren Wilson have been the pick of the first round for me.

I agree , both have played great and look very strong .

Wilson given the type of game he plays is more of a favourite for me to go further in the comp.
I hope I’m wrong as I prefer Robertson as a player to watch .

[itsnoteasy]

I joined the Murphy match at the right time, that was a daft five minutes.

[PatBlock]

Murphy v Si frame 6, twilight zone snooker.

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[itsnoteasy]

Maybe time to remove spectators who aren't capable of turning their phones off.